The fire for Grand Rapids Griffins, Nate Danielson’s debut, & updated playlist

Laying an egg isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, but is inevitable.

Monday night, the Grand Rapids Griffins learned a lot by laying the above-mentioned egg. Their opponent baited the Grand Rapids Grifins players and they fell for every trick. Captain Josiah Didier took the highest number of penalties with 2, meanwhile fellow veterans Austin Czarnik, Radim Šimek, and Dominik Shine joined the sinbin parade. Culminating in American Hockey League (AHL) rookie Marco Kasper earning a 10 minute misconduct. 

Maybe they were ready to go golfing again, cranky, or missed their top defenseman in Simon Edvinsson. He’s day to day and is possible for game 3, but he isn’t a guarantee to play.

The loss of 1 player isn't the reason for the Grand Rapids Griffins have dropped 2 games straight. There are many reasons for the lack of results.

Where’s the fire of the Grand Rapids Griffins? We’ll find the spark, recap Nate Danielson’s AHL debut, and the updated unofficial Grand Rapids Griffins playlist.

With 2 games played, Danielson is looking to help the team regain their top form for game 4 of the series.

Quick hits from games 2 and 3 of the series.

At any rate, the Grand Rapids Griffins played a bit differently than we are used to seeing. While the level of competition increased, our team is better than the performance in games 2 and 3 of the series. Their opponent, the Milwaukee Admirals, did not beat the Grand Rapids Griffins. Costly mistakes from penalties to missed assignments and dare I say nonchalant play resulted in the losses. Seemingly more concerned about how the game was being called, players didn’t adjust their game to conform to the referees standards. Instead of focusing on things they could control, they seemed to let emotions take hold as they abandoned their job duties.

It’s why I added the song “My Own Worst Enemy” by Lit to the Grand Rapids Griffins Playlist (an unofficial playlist that I pieced together, please note that there is explicit language and adult language in most songs). The song is catchy as the entire song is about doing silly things much like the Grand Rapids Griffins did in game 2 of the series.

After a lengthy break from playing in the Van Andel Arena, we hoped the Grand Rapids would bring the fire. For a Wednesday night matchup with a few empty seats, the crowd hungered for a reason to cheer. 

On the edges of their seats (and lots of time on their feet), using rally towels constantly, and cheering as loud as possible (especially the refs you suck chant), fans drooled for any opportunity to show support to their Grand Rapids Griffins.

Maybe my expectations were a bit high, but I hoped the Grand Rapids Griffins would come out of the gates swinging. Whether metaphorically or literally, I didn’t much care. After this play, I hoped the team would rally together against the villains in their story:

To my disappointment, this hope faded. Players seemed more concerned as the Grand Rapids Griffins played for each other in spurts, but more often than not they seemed to complain to referees or feel sorry for themselves.

In game 4, I hope they leave the disagreements with the referees to the fans. Grand Rapids Griffins fans let the referees know how terrible their calls are, so nothing more is needed from the players.

Sebastian Cossa finding himself

Sebastian Cossa is still developing. He’s far from the raw goaltender the Detroit Red Wings drafted in 2021, yet there’s room for improvement. It makes the future of Cossa that much more exciting, as he’s already an incredible goaler. 

Consistency is a big part of the necessary development of any young player, Cossa is included here. It still is Cossa’s biggest opportunity in terms of growth.

Even though Cossa left me wanting more consistency this season, something that I could count on is his ability to recover for the next games. After any shaky outing, Cossa regained his top form. Setting aside any bruised ego or frustrations, Cossa moved forward focusing on what he could control.

Maybe game 3 wasn’t Cossa’s best performance, but he gave the Grand Rapids Griffins a chance to win. It’s really all that we can ask for in a playoff situation.

As Cossa stopped the pucks he could, the skaters in front of him played better than the previous game. They seemed to come in waves, which is to be expected in a playoff game as well. 

Where’s the fire of the Grand Rapids Griffins?

At times, players rose to the occasion. I remember big hits, Marco Kasper clearing out Cossa’s crease, great offensive chances. Yet, there still seemed to be something missing.

Much like round 1 where part way through the series, the Grand Rapids Griffins lost their identity, they’ve seemed to misplaced it again. 

When captain Josiah Didier stepped in, things seemed to settle down and players remembered who they were, how to play, and that their teammate is more important than anything else on the ice.

So far in this second series, I haven’t seen the true power of the Grand Rapids Griffins and their heart. Maybe it has to do with a captain getting a bit too emotional.

They might be tired, injured, or out matched.  

Rather, I think they’re still figuring things out, trying to come alive again. 

They’ve been kicked while they’re down (both literally and figuratively), disallowed goals for absolutely no reason, and had a revolving door of linemates and defensive pairs.

I think players know all of these things. For one of the few times this season, they might feel sorry for themselves. They have every right to feel this way. I’m hoping they’ve given themselves some grace to allow for the emotions to get out.

Once they can either overcome or move on from their self-pity, it will free them to play their game.

When the Grand Rapids Griffins click on all cylinders, none of the things out of their control matter. They play together, communicate, and cover each other without hesitation. 

They don’t care what calls go or don’t go their way, they continue playing the same way. Instead of arguing with referees (as warranted as it might be), feeling sorry for themselves, or taking undisciplined penalties, they channel their energy and efforts into the game between whistles.

After last game, I hope the guys jammed out to Limp Bizkit’s “Break Stuff” to let out the tension that’s been building this series. It’s been added to the Grand Rapids Griffins unofficial playlist as an honorary song. It really heals pieces of me, whether good or bad, it helps sometimes.

The fire is…

For game 4, I hope they bring the oomph they lacked so far this series. Regardless of who is or isn’t in the lineup, the Grand Rapids Griffins are the best team in team in the AHL. I firmly and completely believe this thought.

They’ve gone through trials and tribulations, individually and collectively.

After starting rocky and feeling each other out, the team formed a strong connection. It’s a blast watching their personalities off-ice translate to on-ice performances. They have some goofballs, smart alecks, and more shy individuals. It makes for an interesting team, to say the least.

For game 4, I’ve chosen a special (to me) song from one of my favorite bands. Halestorm’s “I Am the Fire.” It’s difficult to pick a portion of the song to highlight, as it’s very fitting for the game tonight for the Grand Rapids Griffins, but here’s a snipit of the lyrics with the music video linked below:

Am I brave enough, am I strong enough
To follow the desire that burns from within?
To push away my fear, to stand where I’m afraid
I am through with this, ‘cause I am more than this

I promise to myself alone and no one else
My flame is rising higher…

I’ve been sacrificed, my heart’s been cauterized
Hanging onto hope, shackled by the ghost
Of what I once believed that I could never be
What’s right in front of me

I am the fire
I am burning brighter, roaring like a storm
And I am the one I’ve been waiting for
Screaming like a siren, alive and burning brighter

I don’t believe I’ll fall from grace
I won’t let the past decide my fate
Leave forgiveness in my wake, oh!
Take the love that I’ve embraced

I promise to myself and no one else
I am more than this
I am the fire”

From Cossa to any skater, the Grand Rapids Griffins embody this song. 

Each one of them is the fire that we need, and I expect to see nothing but the best from the Grand Rapids Griffins in the fourth game of the series. They are the fire, certainly they’re burning brighter, and they’re the ones that we’re waiting for as fans.